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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NERF Guns

17 replies

Beyondridiculous · 27/12/2020 19:53

Just that really. I actually cannot stand them, every year EXDH family buy them for my DS. DS just shoots them all over the place, if they are pointed towards me I freak out( I realise my issue), or he shoots at his sister, the dog finds the bullets etc. I just cannot stand them, for some kids I’m sure they are a really great gift but AIBU to be a parent that just hates them? I cannot be alone in this can I?

OP posts:
IRememberMySpaceBabe · 27/12/2020 19:55

I do too. Like you, I hate having them pointed at me, and I hate finding the little foam arseholes all over the house. DS got one for his birthday from a family friend last year and I was so relieved when it broke.

EnglishRose1320 · 27/12/2020 19:59

Do you not have any nerf rules?
I agree they can be a pain at times but they can also be great fun and are great for getting kids to burn energy inside.
Ours rules are:
1.Everyone who is playing has to wear goggles and you can't shoot anyone who isn't wearing them.

  1. If someone asks to stop everyone has to stop straight away.
  2. All bullets must be tidied up at the end of using the guns.

We also have a foldable target with a net that the bullets land in, great for ds to use on his own when no one else is in the nerf mood.

Original poster
Beyondridiculous · 27/12/2020 20:05

Your Nerf rules do sound good, for context my DS is 6. So perhaps if he was older would feel different for sure. I will take on board those rules tho, he has been bought one every year for the last 2 (4,5,6yo) years, this year he got 2. Strangely the unopened one this year has disappeared.....I wonder if it will materialise into a credit note.

OP posts:
EnglishRose1320 · 27/12/2020 22:43

6 is a little on the young side, my ds use to want to play at that age and then sob for ages if his brother actually shot him. Think I would definitely limit the number of nerfs guns and only do target practice until older.
Mine played much better from 8/9ish.

Pipandmum · 27/12/2020 22:55

I only allowed them to be used outside.

Dovecote · 27/12/2020 23:05

You need rules for nerf guns. They can blind you if they hit you in the eye at close range. If you point a nerf gun at someone not actively playing a nerf battle that's the gun gone in this house. Everyone playing must wear eye protection and if anyone stops wanting to play you stop immediately. You absolutely need rules.

ProfMcGonigle · 27/12/2020 23:06

We also have NERF rules similar to a pp.

DTs (7) got a shared Xmas gift which was 2 vests (they offer a little protection but mostly they are to hold spare bullets) and glasses.

We have a large family and all get involved in 'NERF wars'. It's all good fun and if anyone breaks the rules, they have to sit out for 5 mins.

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 27/12/2020 23:06

The year ddog got hit in the face they got packed up and sent back to the moron who bought them. Exh.

isthistoonosy · 27/12/2020 23:07

We just use it as a method of teaching gun safety rules. Never aim at anyone or pets. Stand and aim don't run around with it. Clean up pellets at the end of shooting. Kids are 5 and 7 and no issues with it yet to speak off.

TrickorTreacle · 27/12/2020 23:19

lol OP.

Back in the day, how did you cope with cork pop-guns?
Guns that shoot ping-pong balls?
Potato spud guns?
Guns that fire caps?
Water pistols?
Super-soakers?

YABVU :-P

copernicium · 27/12/2020 23:19

The click as they are fired possibly enrages me more than picking the damn things up for 9385 days after.

Witchend · 27/12/2020 23:35

We have a target for the garden, which spins when it hits so you can see what you scored.
We also have the laser ones which are far better for running round shooting matches.

Rules are:
Safety checks when you pick any up. (basically means confirming it isn't loaded)
No shooting at faces
No shooting at anyone who doesn't want to play
Pick up the bullets afterwards.
Safety checks when you put it down (again confirm it isn't loaded)

I had to file an accident report at work involving a nerf gun. It was a cracking report. I have it confiscated in my desk still. Grin

Indecisive12 · 27/12/2020 23:38

We also have nerf rules. And targets so they aim at them not us

Pantsomime · 27/12/2020 23:43

Rules here
Outside
Not at faces
Don’t shoot at anyone who doesn’t want to play
Tidy up

PuntasticUsername · 27/12/2020 23:45

YANBU. DS has long term damage to his eye from getting shot with one of the bastard things. I never want to see a fucking Nerf gun ever again.

Whatthebloodyell · 27/12/2020 23:57

We have a load of nerf guns. But they are mostly only allowed for target practice not shooting each other ! We set up various sorts of targets, tin cans, bulls eye, etc and just have the occasional garden nerf battle. But absolutely no just pointing and
Shooting the nerf at anyone at any other times.

Cocomarine · 28/12/2020 00:02

Your 6yo shoots them at his sister and points them at you?!
So stop him. 6 is plenty old enough to follow rules.

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